New requests in cross-fertilisation phase

Our 3rd Call for Requests (CfR.3/2018, April 2018) has already resulted in several requests. These are currently going through the dynamic phase of cross-fertilisation where we invite requesters and other parties to discuss potential partnerships on a request, contribute to the framing of a request, and/or potentially merge two or more requests into a more strategic EU policy-relevant question. Click on a link below to join the discussion in our KNOCK forum.

Please note that new requests can still be submitted during the cross-fertilisation phase, until the deadline of 12th August 2018.

Up to date information on the current and future state of unrenewable energy impact on various environments around the globe

New requests in scoping phase

Our second Call for Requests (CfR.2/2017, Oct 2017), ‘EKLIPSE invites knowledge requests from consortia representing policy, research, NGOs or other individual applications from policy or other societal actors’, generated 12 submissions (see pdf) and resulted in the selection of five requests which are currently going through the scoping phase and one request which is currently ongoing (see ongoing requests below):

Our first Call for Requests (Sept 2016) ‘Policy and other societal actors are invited to identify topics or evidence needs relating to biodiversity and ecosystem services’ (CfR.1/2016) generated 15 submissions (see pdf) and resulted in the selection of five requests which are currently ongoing. Click on a request below to read more about it and its related activities and outputs:

Past requests

Our first request came from the European Commission DG Research and Innovation to develop an assessment framework to evaluate the multiple benefits, disservices, trade-offs and synergies of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The main purpose of the request was to apply this framework to H2020-funded NBS demonstration projects for increasing urban resilience to climate change.

In December 2016, EKLIPSE, EPBRS and BiodivERsA jointly organised a participatory foresight workshop in Brussels to discuss research needed to face future societal challenges and emerging issues. The workshop resulted in a presentation, main report with annexes, and a policy brief summarising key recommendations for science policy on NBS and social innovation.

The request process starts with an Open Call to decision-makers and policy-makers across the EU to put forward a Call for Requests. A request can be a question like ‘what is the current knowledge on a particular issue?’

The KCB liaises with the requester during a scoping phase to refine the question and identify how EKLIPSE could give added value in terms of what they need. This usually involves sending out a public Call for Knowledge (see some previous examples here) via our Open Calls, the KNOCK Forum, our Network of Networks and to wider stakeholders who have knowledge in a particular area of expertise. Knowledge holders post comments on the KNOCK Forum telling us about any existing publications, projects or reviews on the topic to avoid duplicating any existing studies.

The KCB works with the requester to develop a Description of Work (DoW). This captures the essence of the request: why the request is being put forward and what the requester wants from the process as well as highlighting the EU policy relevance of the request.

The KCB conducts a selection process to make sure the best people from different sectors, different disciplines and different parts of the EU can all contribute their expertise. Then we set up an Expert Working Group (EWG) which will work to all the guidelines agreed in the description of work.

The EWG develops a protocol of methods and approach which describes exactly how they will answer the request. The protocol goes through an extended peer review process which involves an open consultation with the public and all the knowledge holders of that particular topic (see a previous example here).

Next the EWG synthesises all the current knowledge and produces an end product, (e.g. a report). Then a peer-review is conducted on the knowledge synthesis to make sure the end product is robust and credible. The end product is then given to the requester and finally, it is widely disseminated and made publicly available to all via our Outputs page.

Advantages of the EKLIPSE request process:

The EKLIPSE approach responds directly to policy and other societal actors' knowledge needs through regular Calls for Requests

The EKLIPSE approach builds on existing knowledge and links requests for knowledge to the most relevant knowledge holders through Calls for Experts

The EKLIPSE approach frames questions directly with requesters to better understand what knowledge they need, for what purposes, in what timescale and with which resources

EKLIPSE includes a Methods Expert Group, who have identified 21 knowledge synthesis methods, and can suggest the most relevant methods to match requesters' needs

Assessment of effectiveness of the product/item: The assessments, reports and other outputs produced through the EKLIPSE approach are likely to have strong policy and societal impact as they are answering these actors' needs directly.